Classical World: Greek Art is one of 9 topics in the Grade 10 Visual Arts CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. What visual characteristic gives the Geometric period of Greek art its name?
Pottery decorated with precise, repetitive geometric patterns such as meanders, triangles and zigzags
Large-scale marble sculptures of gods and athletes
Elaborate multi-figure narrative wall paintings
Highly naturalistic portrait busts
Answer: Pottery decorated with precise, repetitive geometric patterns such as meanders, triangles and zigzags — The Geometric period is named for its dominant visual characteristic: pottery decorated with precise, repetitive geometric patterns such as meanders, triangles, zigzags and concentric circles.
Easy
2. What is a kouros in Archaic Greek sculpture?
A standing nude male youth figure
A standing, clothed female figure
A seated elderly god figure
A relief carving of a battle scene
Answer: A standing nude male youth figure — A kouros (plural kouroi) is a standing nude male youth figure, one of the two recurring sculptural types of the Archaic period, alongside the kore.
Medium
3. Name the slight, somewhat enigmatic upward curve of the mouth seen on Archaic kouroi and korai, widely understood as an early attempt to suggest life and vitality.
Answer: the Archaic smile — The Archaic smile is the slight, enigmatic upward curve of the mouth seen on Archaic kouroi and korai, widely understood as an early sculptural attempt to suggest life and vitality.
